Firay's Words

This blog is for my rants, thoughts, short stories, and various art projects I will be working on.

[firay-the-siren]

Over Used stereotypes/cliches

I am an aspiring author and recently I've started to properly flesh-out and write a YA series. In this series I have alot of different characters who are not white, including my main characters.

The question I'm hoping to ask are, as a POC, such as a black individual, asian, pacific islander, middle eastern, Native American and countless others, what are some stereotypes/cliches you are tired of seeing in the media to depict yourself and your culture and what are some things you would love to see depicted?

This also goes for any of the LGBT+ community. I would love to hear any and everyone's ideas! ^-^

For any who answer/add to this, thank you so much for the information.

[destinyrush]

Video shows Maryland cops REPEATEDLY pepper spray 15-year-old honor roll student.

5 ft 105 lbs girl, whose name has not been officially released yet, was brutalized by Hagerstown police after she on her bike was hit by a car, but refused medical assistance. 

Her family’s attorney says that when police arrived, they grabbed the little girl, lifted her hands above her head and slammed her face into a wall.

“They slammed her against a wall, arrested her for refusing treatment, maced her 4 times in the police car while handcuffed, and took her to the police station instead of the hospital.”

She was put in the car, which is when a bystander began filming the incident. The video shows the 15-year-old with her hands handcuffed behind her back kicking at the police car door and later a cop is heard saying: “Put your feet in, or you’re going to get sprayed!” Officer proceeds to pepper spray her a few times. 

The girl can be heard screaming: “I can’t breathe!”

The girl was only taken to hospital when she was released to her parents. 

Three hours after being pepper sprayed she was finally able to wash her eyes.

She is now charged with disorderly conduct, two counts of second-degree assault, possession of marijuana and failure to obey a traffic device.

#BlackLivesMatter    #StopPoliceViolence

#StayWoke

[imnimnm-deactivated20170228]

this is where I live and there’s nothing on the news about it

[candystrippers-deactivated20190]

This is torture. They tortured her for fucking fun.

[jennikeatts]

just keep in mind they took Dylan Roof into custody wearing a bullet proof vest to protect him from anyone that may try to kill him THEN they bought him Burger King to eat after the arrest. 

But this is how they treat an innocent child.

[black-flag-black-denim]

This is why we don’t care, or even celebrate, when cops get killed. I have no sympathy for these people.

[audrey-hepbae]

I don’t care that she is an honor student. I care that she’s a child who deserves safety and justice.

[kurtwagnermorelikekurtwagnerd]

this post doesn’t mention that the reason the cops were on the scene is because she had been HIT BY A CAR.

[himboprince]

Omfg

[triplestaff]

Fuck cops

[silver-tongues-blog]

fuck blue lives

[superunfriendlyreminder]

Excellent thread.

[lyricwritesprose]

Reblogged especially for the de-radicalization info.  I don’t know who might need it, but I’m sure someone does.

[dickensign]

https://twitter.com/gwensnyderPHL/status/1133057510292824065

[firay-the-siren]

Nothing helps the writing more than emotional and mental trauma! :D #writing #writinglife #wannabeauthor #longnight #tired #Firay #exhausted #mentallywornout

[brynwrites]

How to Write Non-binary Characters: a three part guide.

Disclaimer: While this guide is written by a non-binary person in collaboration with many other non-binary writers and readers, it does not necessarily cover the views of all people within the non-binary community.

PART ONE: the basics.

First off, what is this thing you call non-binary?

Non-binary genders are any gender identity that isn’t covered in the Western idea of woman (girl) and man (boy). This identity has nothing to do with which chromosomes or sexual organs a person has. Some non-binary people also identify as being trans (which is technically an umbrella term containing non-binary), while others only identify as being non-binary. Some commonly use the slang term enbie (which comes from the pronunciation of the initials for non-binary, aka N.B.) while others don’t. Some break down their gender further than simply non-binary, while others choose not to.

Some terms for common non-binary genders:

Agender: having no gender.

Bigender: having both binary genders, or aspects of two different genders, usually simultaneously. (Much like the bi in bisexual, non-binary people may also claim this term if they have any number of genders, especially if they can’t quite tell where one ends and the other begins, or they may claim the term pangender instead.)

Demi-(boy/girl/man/woman): being partially (but not wholly) binary.

Gender-fluid: transitioning between genders, which may include both binary and non-binary genders.

Gender-queer (or just queer): not of a binary gender. May be used when someone does not feel that any other terms fit them quite right, when they’re still trying to determine their gender and don’t yet wish to choose a term, or simply because the person finds it to fit them best.

There are also genders similar to what Western cultures call non-binary in many non-Western cultures, which are wonderfully diverse and all incerdibly valid, but as someone from an exclusively Western cultural heratage, I don’t feel I have the right or the knoweldge to talk about them.

So then, who are these non-binary people in real life?

The only thing that differentiates a non-binary person from a binary person is that they don’t identify as having a binary gender.

Their non-binary-ness could influence their lives in an infinite number of ways:

It could be subtle or life changing.

They could use fashion and vocal training and actions to present themselves in ways outside their society’s binary gender norms, or they could never even mention they’re non-binary to another living soul. 

They could change their pronouns, or their name, or keep one or both the same.

They could spend years re-figuring out who they are and what it means to be non-binary or they could realize it once and never feel the need to dwell on it again.

They could identity as one of the numerous non-binary labels, or they could decide they’re just not binary and don’t care to dig further than that. 

They could accept all gendered terms, or certain gendered terms, or no gendered terms at all.

People assuming they’re binary could frustrate them or sadden them or anger them, or they could not care in the slightest. 

They may feel they exhibit (or wish to exhibit) many of the traits their society designates to a certain binary gender, or they many not.

They could feel the same way about their identity all the time, or differently every day.

Each non-binary person (and character) is unique, and their non-binary-ness is just one tiny part of who they are.

The basic do’s and don’ts for writing non-binary characters respectfully if you’re a binary person…

Keep reading

[laurasimonsdaughter]

Magical tattoo ideas

A ‘blank slate’ magic circle that the wearer can fill in with the necessary sigils and symbols to make it cast a specific charm

An animal figure that is a direct link to the wearer’s familiar, allowing them to communicate with it even when they are parted

Protective sigils that begin to itch slightly whenever their power kicks in, alerting the wearer to the fact that they are in danger as well as protecting them

A mark that is linked to another person, that will light or heat up when the other needs them

Do feel free to add your own!

[themwolves]

Hi, don’t mind if I do! 

Communal tattoos – designs that ‘jump’ between wearers as needed.

Black market ink. What would a tattoo artist absolutely refuse to do, and where do you go to find someone who will? (Is it the design or the type of ink that’s illegal?)

Would temporary tattoos be an acceptable alternative for those whose faith bans body modifications? The spells might not be as strong, but still useful in a pinch!

Not just for magic users, how about healing sigils for the chronically ill just to be able to make it through the days?

Tattoos that ‘talk’ to you. Your phone may run out of battery, the app may fail, but TAKE YOUR MEDS shows up on your arm every day like clockwork.

Fun ‘optical illusion’ tattoos that change depending on the observer. Distinguishing marks? Not here!

What’s the healing process, compared to normal tattoos? What do you do when you get a bad one? Where do you go when something goes wrong?

[laurasimonsdaughter]

Yes to absolutely all of these. And let me add @addicted2fic‘s addition too:

A basic needs tattoo to tell me when I should start making food before I’m starving, remind me to drink water, and tell me when I should get ready for bed instead if letting me try to figure that out when I’m over-tired and over-stimulated by devices. I’d hope it’s harder to ignore a glowing dream cloud on your hand than snoozing a bedtime alarm

Also: Magical tattoo artists who practice this very specific kind of witchery will no doubt know tricks to make the healing go a bit faster. They probably also have plenty of horror stories of people who accidentally inked the wrong sigil…

[pendragyn]

I love this idea. here’s some of mine;

tattoos that are actually attachment points for magical prosthetics

tattoos that are mobility aids, allowing people to still move their limbs with their mind just in a less direct fashion

tattoos to take the place of minor spell components

not just a link to the familiar but a way to summon them without need for components

of course the dark side is a permanent curse set for crossing the wrong people

and anticurses that may or may not work

glowing tats that are otherwise invisible that only show up whe magic users channel their power

a way to give non-magics access to a spell, like message

[littlemisswallpapers]

Like Or Reblog If You Save! 🖤 TPWK

Made by @littlemissdreamthoughts

[dirhwangdaseul-archived]

John Boyega at Hyde Park demonstration #BlackLivesMattter

[firay-the-siren]

It’s alive!!

I just found that Myspace is still alive....and I found my old profile....I think a part of me died from embarrassment!!!  >///< WHY WAS I THIS CRINGE HARD BACK THEN?!?!?

[allie-horikawa]

Literally everyone else: Elsa is my lesbian icon

Only me: Elsa is my aro/ace icon

[icreateblackimages]

The Nutcracker dance you’ve NEVER seen before!  

[ayemuhhfucka]

fuckin amazing 👏🏾🔥

[birdungehrl]

this is the kind of art I want to see in the world

[firay-the-siren]

The Boy Who Lived

[diaryofandnwoman]

[thetrippytrip]

If he manages to get that story viral, he’ll get a job 5 times better than his last one #youknowwhatImean

[waaisted-daasiiess]

BLOW THIS SHIT UP

[firay-the-siren]

WHAT THE SEVEN HELLS IS WRONG WITH COMPANIES!?!?!

[gahdamnpunk]

THIS. IS. FASCISM.

[popculturebrain]

Watch: Dulcé Sloan made her ‘Daily Show’ debut — and killed it

[onlyayangel-deactivated20180201]

BABY, IT’S ALWAYS KENDALL JENNER

[mxlabradorite]

I love Dulcé Sloan so much. <3

[taraljc]

I want to keep the gif where she gives him That Look and he slides his hand over to touch hers as my fave reaction gif for finding like minds ever.

[artmagine]

Top 8 apps for 2D animation

Hello amazing people!

After the success of our Top 12 alternatives to Photoshop for digital painters and illustrators article, a few questions regarding animation programs appeared in our inbox. There are many, many apps to animate today: in this list we included 2D animation programs only, but these are the best of the best.

Formerly known as Flash, Adobe Animate helps you create interactive web-based content for games and ads using powerful illustration and animation tools.

Pros: user-friendly interface; many, many features; customisable layout

Cons: there are so many features that a few may remain hidden; it may get sluggish with big files (performance depends on the running machine); limited audio tools

Paid

Animation Pro is an app for iPad and it works like any powerful animation app!

Pros: drawing features; layers; lip-synching feature; affordable

Cons: the interface can look confusing to a beginner

Paid

Illustration or animation, CLIP STUDIO PAINT may be the answer to your needs. This program is powerful and full of amazing features and tools for the professional artist - and it made the top ten in our Top 12 alternatives to Photoshop for digital painters and illustrators list.

Pros: several illustration tools exclusive of the program; powerful

Cons: limited audio tools; limited script tools; limited technical support

Paid

Certainly one of the most used programs in the industry, Toon Boom Harmony is a powerful animation program for professional artists. It’s been used for well-known series and films, such as Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name, Rick and Morty, The Simpsons and The Princess and the Frog.

Pros: powerful tools; smart colour palettes; features for character artists; many tutorials

Cons: not easy to use; pricey

Paid

Moho Pro (Anime Studio) is a 2D animation software for professional artists distributed by Smith Micro Software.

Pros: advanced animation tools; user-friendly interface; compatibility with vector programs (ex. Illustrator) for import/export of files

Cons: N/A

Paid

We’ve already talked about OpenToonz, an open-source animation program (see this article).

While this version is the program customised by Studio Ghibli, Toonz was created by Italian Digital Video S.p.A., which distributes other important programs: Toonz Premium, Story Planner and Toonz LineTest. 

Toonz is used by important studios, such as, of course, Studio Ghibli (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) and Rough Draft Studios (Futurama, The Simpsons).

Pros: open-source; powerful tools

Cons: not easy to learn; hidden features; “old” interface

Free  

Pencil2D Animation is another open-source program for beginner and professional artists.

Pros: simple, user-friendly interface; 

Cons: minimal features

Free

Another well-known animation program is TVPaint Animation. Perfect for frame-by-frame animation, this is a powerful program and may even be considered Harmony’s rival. Notable productions are Song of the Sea, Zima Blue and Kitbull.

There are two versions of the program, TVPaint Animation Professional and TVPaint Animation Standard.

Pros: powerful; many tutorials

Cons: pricey;

Paid

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As always, let us know what you think of these apps and what we missed. We still hope you’ll find this list useful!

Thank you and peace out,

G&M

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Other articles:

10 inspiring and helpful YouTube channels for digital artists

6 inspiring Art Podcasts for digital artists

Top 12 alternatives to Photoshop for digital painters and illustrators